Senior Living Apartments in Indianapolis, IN

Most people put their personal funds towards the monthly rental costs since public programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance aren’t available for this type of senior housing. These health insurance programs may help pay for senior care in a nursing home, memory care, or assisted living facility if a senior needs more support down the road. However, they can be used to pay for in-home care in a senior apartment if a medical need arises for such services.

While insurance won’t cover rent in a senior apartment, other housing resources may be available to help low-income seniors with rental costs. Veterans may also qualify for benefits that can help pay for their monthly rental costs. In this section, we highlight several commonly used private pay methods as well as some public assistance benefits that may be available to help pay for a senior apartment.

While some senior apartment communities in Indianapolis may outline distinct rules for tenants and landlords in a lease, there are general rights and responsibilities that apply to all renters and landlords in Indiana. We outline some of those key rights and responsibilities in Indiana, as well as specific guidance for fair housing laws below.

Indiana responsibilities for tenants and landlords

Landlords in Indiana are responsible for keeping a property in a safe condition and complying with health and Indiana housing codes. We give a rundown of some specific landlord requirements below:

• Landlords are required to provide and install a functional smoke detector.
• Landlords must provide units with a reasonable amount of heat and hot water.
• Landlords need to keep appliances, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems in safe and working order.
• Landlords are required to keep common areas in good condition, which includes fences, parking, and recreational spaces
• Landlords have to give advance notice — usually 24 hours depending on the lease — before entering a property, except for an emergency like a fire, flood, or loss of heat.

Indiana also outlines the responsibilities that renters are expected to follow when leasing a property. Renters in Indiana must comply with health and housing codes, which include the following:

• Keep the unit reasonably clean.
• Follow all of a rental property’s rules.
• Prevent any unnecessary damage to the property.
• Return the rental unit back to the landlord in good condition.
• Make sure smoke detectors are in working condition and replace batteries when needed.

Renters’ rights in Indiana

As a renter in Indiana, here are some key rights you have that you should remain aware of:

• Tenants have a right to receive their security deposit within 45 days of leaving a property, as long as the unit is returned in good condition and the landlord has your new address in writing. Landlords cannot withhold a security deposit because of everyday wear and tear, and must provide an itemized list of any damages they charge you for within 45 days.
• Renters have the right to terminate a lease agreement if a property becomes uninhabitable.
• Renters have the right to put rent money toward repairs if a landlord doesn’t fix a problem within a reasonable amount of time.
• Renters have the right to speak with an attorney if a landlord fails to keep a property safe, fix appliances, and provide sufficient heat or hot water.

Note: If a landlord failed to address an issue with your rental unit in a reasonable amount of time, it’s recommended you speak with an attorney before moving forward and document all correspondence with your landlord.

Fair housing laws

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that bans housing discrimination when it comes to selling, renting, or financing a property. Under the law, a person can’t be denied or turned away from a property because of the following:

• Sex
• Race
• Disability
• Religion
• Family status
• National origin

You can file a complaint of discrimination on the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s website. Complaints for housing discriminatory practices, specifically, must be filed within a year of the incident.

Accommodations for people with disabilities

Property managers in Indiana are required to make reasonable accommodations for renters with disabilities, as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These are generally made in a community’s policies, like having assigned parking for tenants with mobility issues or making exceptions for residents who need service animals.

Apartments must also have specific accessibility features installed, if built after March 1991. Some of these features include the following:

• Wider hallways and doorways
• Low outlets and thermostats
• Wheelchair-navigable kitchens and bathrooms
• Clear pathways from the parking lot to common areas and units

The law also lets tenants with disabilities make modifications to their own units, which a landlord can require the tenants to pay for and return to their original condition after moving out. Some examples of these modifications can be lowering countertops, installing ramps, and removing carpets.

Note: This section is intended to be for informative purposes and shouldn’t be taken as legal advice. You should always seek counsel from a professional attorney or housing authority before pursuing any type of legal action.

COVID-19 regulations for Indianapolis senior apartment communities

Since senior apartments aren’t health care facilities, they’re likely to have fewer precautions for COVID-19 than you’d likely find at an assisted living or other senior care facility. You can expect most senior apartments to follow guidance from local and state authorities, though some may have stricter rules when it comes to masking indoors or social distancing. It’s always best to inquire with a prospective community beforehand to understand their specific guidelines.

The Indiana Department of Health (DOH) has public updates and recommendations available on its website. We detail some of these statewide guidelines and recommendations in place, as of April 2023, below.

As you explore senior apartments for rent in Indianapolis, it’s important to have an idea of what to expect before getting started. With thoughtfully designed living spaces and impressive community features, it’s easy to make yourself at home in one of our 55+ partner senior apartment communities in Indianapolis. Explore some of the highlights of these in-network Indianapolis senior apartments below.

Immaculate floor plans

Indianapolis senior apartment communities come in a variety of floor plans, with one- and two-bedroom options available. You can expect most senior apartment communities to provide a full-sized kitchen complete with all the works. Some communities even feature lavish kitchen details like spacious islands, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops.

Many of our partner Indianapolis senior apartments offer the convenience of in-unit laundry, as most communities either provide full-sized washers and dryers or have connections available to install your own. Walk-in closets, individual heating and air conditioning systems, and private patios or balconies are a few other features you can expect to find at these communities.

Convenient locations

Having access to nearby conveniences is essential to maintaining one’s independence. Several of our in-network senior apartment communities are located within miles of popular shopping centers, grocery stores, and pharmacies. Even better, most of our partner communities are near at least one of the local golf courses. You’ll find some communities are even within walking distance of post offices, tasty restaurants, and local entertainment hot spots.

Residents with pets will be especially pleased to find that many of our in-network communities are close to local pet supply stores and parks. And, most of our partner senior apartment communities offer easy access to the airport, with several located within 30 minutes or less of the Indianapolis International Airport.

Community perks

A lot of Indianapolis senior apartments have community amenities available for residents to delight in. Indoor common areas serve as spaces for residents to enjoy gathering with friends, stay active, and even indulge in self-care. Several communities have on-site fitness centers, theater rooms, and even beauty salons.

Walking paths, serene courtyards, and raised garden beds are typical at our partner communities for all residents to enjoy. Residents can also gather with friends and lounge in outdoor seating areas, grill up barbecue at the outdoor grills, and even sit poolside at several communities. Residents with pets will be especially pleased with the pet-friendly amenities, like dog parks and sometimes even dog wash stations, available at many senior apartment communities.

Social activities

Most of our in-market senior apartment communities coordinate on-site activities, and about half of our partner communities coordinate day trips and outings for residents. It’s easy to enjoy an active retirement with some communities even providing exercise programs like stretching classes, tai chi, or yoga. Some communities plan social gatherings like happy hours, karaoke, and wine tastings.

It’s easy to get involved with the activities you love most, as many communities host resident-led interest groups, like book clubs, walking clubs, and gardening clubs. Several Indianapolis senior apartments also schedule celebrations that range from birthday and holiday parties to barbecues and picnics. You may also find an opportunity to learn some new skills or talents, as it’s not uncommon to find art and cooking classes on-site.

Health care for seniors in Indianapolis

When it comes to medical care, retirees in Indianapolis have access to some of the top hospitals in the Midwest. Take a look at some of the area’s ranking hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Indianapolis

To help senior residents get around the city and maintain their independence, all of our partner senior apartment communities offer transportation services to residents. Indianapolis is also full of public transportation services for seniors with visiting friends or relatives:

• IndyGo is Indiana’s largest public transportation provider and has over 200 buses in its fleet, as of September 2022. All IndyGo buses are ADA accessible and allow service animals, and other types of pets as long as they’re in a carrier, on board. Seniors age 65 and older can enjoy a reduced fare when they present a valid Medicare card or Half Fare ID card.
• The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) has some special transportation services and discounts for seniors and people with disabilities in Marion County. Its Way2Go Transportation program helps seniors age 60+ get to and from appointments, grocery stores, and other essential destinations.

As a whole, Indianapolis is primarily a car-reliant city, though some neighborhoods offer more walkability like Downtown, Broad Ripple, and Fountain Square. Take a look at how the Indianapolis metro ranks for its walkability, bike lane availability, and public transit below.